Gifting With Thought - Shop With Brands That Care This Christmas

Facing the task of choosing a meaningful, low impact gift within a budget can be overwhelming. However, with a store packed to the rafters with innovative, independent brands and a strong focus on the crafted and sustainable, we hope this selection below may spark inspiration for those on your list.

Best For: Design Enthusiasts Who Prefer Clean Beauty

Earl of East  *London Based Production / Vegan & Cruelty-Free/ Ethically Sourced/ Phthalate & GMO-free.

Earl of East was founded by Niko Dafkos and Paul Firmin in 2014. Starting life as a market stall in East London, built from a love of home fragrance, and a desire to create something of their own, since then Earl of East has grown to include three stores in London, an online shop, and a line of home fragrance and bathing products that are made responsibly by a dedicated team in London.

The brand has four pillars they work by: Create, Curate, Collaborate and Community, which weaves through everything they do as a company. But it’s not just about shopping. Over the years, their own stores have become creative destinations, where they host candle making workshops and events, and serve coffee with conversations to a growing community both on and offline.

All Earl of East candles are hand poured at their production studio in East London using eco-soy (non-GMO) wax. Their collaborators and suppliers of soy-wax elements are certified and the brand are committed to ensuring that their work does not contribute to deforestation, and respects the rights of workers and indigenous people. 

The amber glass jars used in the Earl of East core line are manufactured and sourced in the UK and are 100% recyclable. The candle wicks are made from cotton and unbleached linen and dipped in vegetable wax. The cotton complies with the Oetoex Standard 100, which regulates and tests fabrics for harmful substances. The oils in the Earl of East candles are ethically sourced and fully traceable to origin.

Best For Those That Love A Modern Take on Traditional Craftsmanship

Howlin *Small Scale Production / Artisanal Technique / High Quality & Sustainability Standards

An Antwerp based knitwear brand which have have been producing quality knitwear in Scotland since 81, in 2009 they launched their new label Howlin’ (scottish slang for smelly) which offered the brand more room for fantasy in shape and pattern. With a 'Small Is Beautiful' outlook, Howlin bring a fresh somewhat twisted approach to Scottish knitwear while respecting its rich heritage, keeping the best of the old techniques and mixing it with new technology, patterns, colors and ideas. 

At Howlin’ they strive for timeless, playful products that are made with care. So whether it is a scarf or a jumper; all the products are individually manufactured and hand finished by traditionally skilled craftspeople in either Scotland, Ireland or Belgium using the highest quality yarns possible. 

Many knitwear styles of Howlin’ have a “brushed finish”. Acheived by washing each piece with local fresh water, they undergo an individualized process using a vintage brushing machine. This machine delicately lifts and pulls the fibers, creating a loose and relaxed shaggy brush effect. Their commitment to authenticity is also reflected in the use of traditional teasels for some styles. It is the careful execution of each of these delicate stages that results in the softest natural Shetland feel.  

Best For Fans of Traditional Simple Design 

ROTOTO *Minimal Design / Quality & Comfort 

Created with their ethos of 'a small, good thing' ROTOTO’s socks are made in Japan’s largest sock producing region, Nara Prefecture. Known for its quality textiles since around the 17th century the sock production in the northwestern part of Nara Prefecture originated from the area’s centuries-long tradition of weaving and the preservation of the highest standards. Premium materials combined with manufacturing that preserves tradition, creates styles where quality and comfort are felt every time they are worn. 

The Double Face style sell out fast at Christmas due to being designed with comfort and fit in mind. These thick socks have a marled outer appearance and a natural soft loop-backed inner, a roll top and contrasting hand-linked toe seam which bring a touch of luxury to your everyday wear.

 
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